The Boston Celtics were struggling early on in the 2021-22 NBA season, but they have since found their footing and look like a tough team heading into the stretch run of the season.
Once 18-21 on the year, the Celtics are now 34-26 and have won 11 of their last 13 prior to the All-Star break. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have Boston in prime position to make the playoffs this season, but scoring has not been the main emphasis of this year’s Celtics team.
Defensively, the Celtics rank second in the league and they have only allowed 100-plus points in 4 of their last 13 games. Robert Williams and Marcus Smart have been the main catalysts for this team on defense and veteran Al Horford has really stepped up his play this season as well.
The Celtics brought back Al Horford in the offseason, rolling the dice with the $53.5 million remaining on his contract, and he has been a factor for them on both ends of the floor.
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On the season, Horford has averaged 10.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.3 blocks, and has shot 44.5% from the floor.
At 35-years-old, Al Horford is not the same All-Star talent he once was, and heading into the final year of his contract next season, regardless of the outcome of this season for the Celtics, the team could look to move on from him.
His contract is partially guaranteed for $14.5 million next season, so the Celtics could waive him in the offseason at this penalty, but they could also look to trade him in order to bring in another championship-caliber piece to their roster.
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Trade interest in Al Horford is going to be very low, especially given that he is near the end of the line in his career, but some rebuilding teams could be willing to take on his contract in bigger trades made in the offseason.
It is definitely a long shot to believe that Boston has a chance to move Horford in the offseason, but theoretically, they could do so for one of these three players.
